Press Releases
Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition releases recommendations for improving effectiveness and equity of AMLER program
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, (614) 205-6424, chelsea@appvoices.org Dan Radmacher, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org Marissa Lautzenheiser, (330) 859-1050, marissa@ruralaction.org APPALACHIA — Today, the Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition and Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center released a set of 10 recommendations to improve the federal Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Grant Program, formerly known as AML Pilot. Since 2016, AML Pilot and…
Read MoreU.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals dismisses MVP’s appeal of air board decision
Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit granted Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s motion to dismiss its appeal of the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board’s decision to deny the company’s requested minor source air permit for the Lambert Compressor Station.
Read MoreAppalachian Voices celebrates U.S. House committee’s bill to improve black lung benefits
The bill, which was reported from the committee on a party-line vote, proposes changes to the Black Lung Benefits Program that will make it easier for coal miners and their dependents to access the benefits of the program, which include a living stipend and healthcare benefits.
Read MoreCongress misses another opportunity to tackle acid mine drainage crisis
With the passage of the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus spending package, Congress has failed to address one of the most pervasive and visible problems caused by abandoned mine operations in the country: acid mine drainage.
Read More34 community organizations endorse new bipartisan House & Senate bills to address acid mine drainage crisis
CONTACT: Trey Pollard, 202-904-9187, trey@pollardcommunications.com APPALACHIA — Today, advocates and organizations from coal-impacted communities announced their support for the Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines (STREAM) Act – new bipartisan legislation that would guarantee that major new investments in abandoned mine land clean up can be directed to address the acid…
Read MoreAppalachian groups praise bipartisan effort to increase economic revitalization funding
Today, a bipartisan group of senators and representatives sent a letter to congressional leadership and members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees calling for increased funding to the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program for Fiscal Year 2022 as Congress works to finalize the appropriations bill before March 11.
Read MoreNew River Light and Power wants to further penalize solar customers
Appalachian Voices submitted comments to the North Carolina Utilities Commission today as part of its intervention in the commission’s avoided cost proceeding opposing New River Light and Power’s request to add an $8.95 monthly “administrative” fee to the bills of its solar customers.
Read MoreIn yet another significant blow to MVP, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signals stream crossing permit will be indefinitely delayed
CONTACT: Dan Radmacher, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org Morgan Caplan, (443) 986-1221, Morgan.Caplan@sierraclub.org Washington, DC — This week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers committed to withhold a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) at least until the project has a valid Endangered Species Act biological opinion. This confirmation was received…
Read MoreWith federal infrastructure money on the way, advocates release recommendations for most effective abandoned mine lands investments
CONTACT: Dan Radmacher, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org Trey Pollard, (202) 904-9187, trey@pollardcommunications.com APPALACHIA – Today, the Biden Administration announced that nearly $725 million in Fiscal Year 2022 abandoned mine land (AML) funding secured in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will be available to 22 states and the Navajo Nation. With these significant new federal investments…
Read MoreFourth Circuit Invalidates Decision in Endangered Species Act Case, Further Delaying MVP
Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit invalidated the biological opinion and incidental take statement issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act for the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The Court’s decision means that construction should not move forward along the 304-mile pipeline route.
Read More